Amateur-built LIGHTNING N481SL accident near St. Augustine, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot of the experimental light-sport airplane, following a personal flight, he made a straight-in approach to runway 13. He recalled that the tower reported the wind as 070° at 12 knots. During the approach, the airplane encountered "convective turbulence," but he established a stabilized approach over the runway centerline. He remarked that, about 5 ft above the runway, the airplane encountered what he estimated to be a 20-knot or greater wind gust. He reported that the airplane ballooned and touched down on the nosewheel, the propeller struck the ground, and he used differential braking to stop the airplane on the runway. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane, and the engine mounts and the spar box sustained substantial damage.

The METAR at the accident airport indicated that, at the time of the accident, the wind was 040° true at 12 knots. There were no METARs throughout the day at the accident airport that indicated wind gusts.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA502 for the full record.